‘Under pressure’

The 2019 survey showed continuing concerns about students’ well-being – with just 18% saying they were happy, 17% saying their life was “worthwhile” and only 16% having low levels of anxiety, with all these student figures being considerably worse than for the rest of their age group.

It showed 66% supported universities being able to share concerns with parents or a trusted adult if there were “extreme” problems – and a further 15% thought universities should be able to contact parents in “any circumstances” where there were mental health worries.

There were 18% who thought universities should never be allowed to get in touch with parents.

The University of Bristol, which has faced a number of student suicides, has a scheme in which students can opt-in to allowing parents or trusted adults to be contacted – with a take-up of 95%.

Nick Hillman, director of Hepi, said the survey showed the pressure that some students could feel from being “away from friends and family” and how some struggled with the “big break” from home.

Report author Jonathan Neves said it showed how students felt “under a lot of pressure”.

Sir Anthony Seldon, vice-chancellor of the University of Buckingham, said: “The survey dispels the fiction that students don’t want their parents and guardians involved.

“It’s incredibly difficult for many students to transition to university. And having parents and guardians more involved when appropriate is good sense, and can only help, including helping save lives,” said Sir Anthony.

About Us

The Mandatory Compliance Group is a Birmingham based provider of statutory and mandatory safety training courses for healthcare and social care professionals and organisations. Over the years, The Mandatory Compliance Group has become a leading provider of healthcareRead More